2013.08.11 - Las Vegas Review-Journal - Guns N' Roses Guitarist Makes Impromptu Proposal, Launches Police Investigation (DJ)

Guns N' Roses lead guitarist makes impromptu proposal, launches police investigation

By MIKE BLASKY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

An internal investigation is underway after a rock star and his girlfriend were given a private tour of Las Vegas in a police helicopter for a wedding proposal.

DJ Ashba, lead guitarist of Guns N' Roses, posted photos of the tour on social media Saturday.

"That was the most incredible day of our life!!" the guitarist wrote on Instagram. "Special thx to the Las Vegas Police Dept. for the most amazing helicopter private tour over Vegas!"

Ashba gave a shout-out to Captain David O'Leary for setting up the tour. A police spokesman confirmed the internal investigation Sunday morning, although no details were released.

But department officials were reportedly livid about the apparent misuse of the helicopter, especially in the wake of officer's death from a helicopter last month.

David VanBuskirk, 36, a Search and Rescue officer, died last month during a late-night helicopter rescue of a hiker stranded on Mount Charleston.

The office fell while being hoisted to the helicopter and an investigation into his death remains ongoing.

It's unclear how O'Leary, who oversees the department's Financial Crimes Bureau, arranged the tour for the 40-year-old rocker. Ashba, who joined the band in 2009, called O'Leary a "good friend" on Instagram.

Both O'Leary and the pilot are under investigation, although it was unclear if either were suspended.

The investigation also comes as Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie attempts to persuade the Clark County Commission to raise taxes to approve the hiring of more police officers.

Gillespie earlier this year lobbied the NEvada Legislature to allow the county to raise the sales tax from 8.1 percent to 8.25 percent, but the tax must be approved by the commission.

Commissioners, who were expected to approve the measure Tuesday, delayed the vote.

Ashba's girlfriend said yes to the proposal after the helicopter "landed in a field" next to a table with roses and champagne, he wrote.

"It was beautiful she didn't expect a thing, it was magical," he wrote.

https://web.archive.org/web/20130813100950/http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/guns-n-roses-lead-guitarist-makes-impromptu-proposal-launches-police-investigation

Related article in Loudwire, Aug. 12, 2013:
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Guns N’ Roses Guitarist DJ Ashba’s Engagement to Girlfriend Sparks Police Investigation

By Graham Hartmann

Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba got engaged to girlfriend Nathalia Henao last week, but according to a Las Vegas publication, the way Ashba proposed has sparked a police investigation.

Fans found out about Ashba's engagement through the guitarist's Twitter account on Aug. 8. Ashba, who is also a member of Sixx: A.M., tweeted a picture of Henao wearing her engagement ring, along with the words, "She said yes!!!" Another tweet from Ashba read, "We can't thank you all enough for the beautiful love and support that you show us! much love!!"

On the day that Ashba tweeted out the good news, no information was released on exactly how the guitarist proposed. However, on Aug. 10, Ashba posted a photo (see left) of himself and Henao taking a helicopter ride via the musician's Instagram account. Ashba also described how he proposed in great detail:

That was the most incredible day of our life!! Special thx to the Las Vegas Police Dept. for the most amazing helicopter private tour over Vegas! We landed in a field at Police headquarters were I had a table set up covered in roses n a bottle of the bubble stuff for @naty_yummi8 as we walked up to the table @karikaisner slipped me the ring, and thats when I proposed! it was beautiful she didn't expect a thing, it was magical. And thanks to our good friends for helping making it all happen!! Dave and @nitaoleary @tommyoleary #AshbaFamily #RnR#blessed #shesaidyes #HolyCrapWereGettingMarried #engaged#forever #miamor #thejewelersLV

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, police department officials are upset with the "misuse" of the helicopter. The publication also pointed out that officer David VanBuskirk, 36, died last month during the helicopter-assisted rescue of a stranded hiker. Police Captain David O'Leary, who Ashba gave a shout out to in his Instagram message, is now under investigation along with the pilot who flew Ashba and Henao.

https://loudwire.com/guns-n-roses-guitarist-dj-ashba-engagement-to-girlfriend-police-investigation/

That ended up with the police officers being punished. Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 31, 2013:
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Las Vegas police captain tied to rock star’s helicopter ride retires

By MIKE BLASKY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A Las Vegas police captain under internal investigation for arranging a private ride in a department helicopter for a rock star’s wedding proposal has retired in lieu of a pending demotion, the Review-Journal has learned.

Capt. David O’Leary, who oversaw the department’s Financial Crimes Bureau, was going to be demoted at least one rank, according to police officials.

Leaving before the demotion allowed O’Leary to retire as a captain instead of a lieutenant, which is more lucrative. He earned $165,000 in pay in 2012.

He had 25 years of experience at the department and was eligible for retirement.

“He was basically forced out,” said one officer with knowledge of the situation.

O’Leary arranged the tour for DJ Ashba, lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses. The August tour over Las Vegas became public after Ashba posted photos on his Instagram account.

“That was the most incredible day of our life!!” Ashba wrote on Instagram. “Special thx to the Las Vegas Police Dept. for the most amazing helicopter private tour over Vegas!”

Ashba also thanked O’Leary for his help. O’Leary, an avid musician, met Ashba through the local music scene.

The internal investigation into the incident concluded about two weeks ago. It’s unclear if Ashba, 41, ever spoke to police detectives to clear up rumors about the ride.

Ashba’s girlfriend said yes to the proposal after the helicopter “landed in a field” next to a table with roses and champagne, the rocker wrote on Instagram.

“It was beautiful she didn’t expect a thing, it was magical,” he wrote.

But some police officials said O’Leary was simply arranging a typical citizen ride-along for a friend and that Ashba embellished his online account of the ride.

In either case, the negative publicity infuriated top brass at the department in the wake of an officer’s death involving a helicopter shortly before Ashba’s ride.

David VanBuskirk, 36, a Search and Rescue officer, died during a late-night helicopter rescue of a hiker stranded on Mount Charleston on July 23.

The officer fell while being hoisted to the helicopter. An investigation into his death is ongoing.

Clark County Sheriff Doug Gillespie was also trying to persuade the Clark County Commission to raise the sales tax to hire more officers and bridge a budget shortfall.

Commissioners rejected the sheriff’s request, although Gillespie will try again with an alternative plan next year.

O’Leary wasn’t the only involved officer to be punished for the ride. Former Air Support Lt. Tom Monahan was transferred to a patrol bureau.

Roy Horsley, who flew the helicopter, will not be allowed to fly for the department and will be transferred out of the air support detail, police said.

Review-Journal writer Colton Lochhead contributed to this report.

https://web.archive.org/web/20140104023729/http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/las-vegas-police-captain-tied-rock-star-s-helicopter-ride-retires